The first recorded signs of a lottery are keno slips from the Chinese Han
dynasty between 205 and 187 BC. These lotteries are believed to have helped to
finance major government projects like the Great Wall of China. From the Chinese
Book of Songs (2nd millennium BC.) comes a reference to a game of chance as
“”the drawing of wood””, which in context appears to
describe the drawing of lots. The first known European lotteries were held
during the Roman Empire, mainly as an amusement at dinner parties. Each guest
would receive a ticket, and prizes would often consist of fancy items such as
dinnerware. Every ticket holder would be assured of winning something. This type
of lottery, however, was no more than the distribution of gifts by wealthy
noblemen during the Saturnalian revelries. The earliest records of a lottery
offering tickets for sale is the lottery organized by Roman Emperor Augustus.
The funds were for repairs in the City of Rome, and the winners were given
prizes in the form of articles of unequal value. (資料來源 )